Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has revealed that he still has a lot to learn in colours of the senior national team despite been selected as number one in previous games.
He stated this in an interview with BBC, where he said that it was a privilege for him to make his debut against Brazil in an international friendly.
Okoye said that it was a lifetime opportunity and was grateful to God to have grabbed the chance with bold arms.
The Sparta Rotterdam goalie also revealed that he hope to use the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations as a platform to attract the attention of clubs in the Premier League.
“I’ve experienced for myself that playing for a club and then for your country is a whole other thing. I don’t see myself as the Nigeria’s number one yet, I have to work on a lot of things before I will be the undisputed number one.”
“These tournaments are going to be a huge platform for players like me. My ultimate goal is to hopefully play in the Premier League. The most important thing for me now is that I can play my games as a number one and develop myself as a keeper, and that is something I can do in the Eredivisie at Sparta Rotterdam,” Okoye added.
‘I’m Not Yet Super Eagles Undisputed Number One Goalkeeper’ -Okoye
Austin Akhilomen
Augustine Akhilomen is a passionate sports content writer. A fan of the Super Eagles and Chelsea. My aim is to promote the game of sports globally.
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Even the boy is admitting to what we are saying about his performance. I don’t have a problem with him, but the one I have a problem with is Coach Agu whom has refused to should search all the corners of the earth for our Number One, so that Okoye and Uzoho will develop their craft and step the ladder when they’re Capable.
The No1 post of the Super Eagles is higher than most of you think that is why you want an apprentice to be NO1. Even he himself feels the pressure and at this stage I will task our scouting department to make this their main task and also scout Nwobodo, Matthew and AlHassan to replace injured Etebo for Afcon.
Okoye is on a journey and there is nothing to suggest that he will not arrive at his destination (all other things been equal).
His profile is rising in club football in spite of some leaky performances which his whole team have to take responsibility.
It is true: Okoye is not yet Nigeria’s undisputed number one glove minder. A robust performance in the Afcon in January supported by poweful outings leading up to the tournament itself should edge him closer to the Number 1 claim.
But the road ahead is rocky and is not helped by Okoye adding distraction-pebbles on his own path by reporting late to camp. As a result, he has handed Uzoho the opportunity to reclaim what he feels is rightly his.
Make no mistake about it: Francis Uzoho has no intentions of going to consecutive Afcons as second fiddle to goalkeepers he is slightly better than on a good day.
Whether he plays in Cyprus or not, if Uzoho regains his aura of impregnabilty as displayed against Ukraine and Brazil in 2019 and starts to taste the sweet wine of regular club football games, then Okoye will have a mountain to climb to regain his slot.
Uzoho, it has to be remembered, is also one of Gernot Rohr’s major pet projects. The German exposed Uzoho to football at the highest level at a young age so that he can come good right about now.
So, if Uzoho picks form, Rohr takes the credit. Uzoho or Okoye manning the post is a win-win for Rohr so Okoye should beware and not take his place for granted.
Okoye is also not yet an undisputed fan favourite : he divides opinion. Some believe that despite his young age, he doesn’t exhibit the sort of goalkeeper skills that will suggest he is good enough to man the post.
If he loses his place at this time, some fans will even welcome this. For someone yet to win majority of fans over with Uzoho (a Rohr project) breathing heavily down his neck, reporting to camp late might prove to be a costly mistake for his own ambitions!
@Deos, well said, in your usual manner. You never disappoint.
Kudos.
Well said Okoye. That is what we are saying here. The coaching crew and their followers doesn’t understand the game of football.
But I’m glad that you pointed out loopholes in your game.
Fellow Nigerians, we can see now that we are making progress by telling the coaches and NFF the truth.
Good luck to you Okoye. Good luck Super Eagles.
God bless Nigeria!!!